Conflict and displacement have shut down over 6,000 schools in Burkina Faso, leaving nearly 1 million children without access to education in 2025.
Burkina Faso’s Education System on the Brink Amid Worsening Conflict
Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso – Burkina Faso is facing a devastating education crisis, with more than 6,100 schools closed nationwide due to conflict and insecurity, according to the Ministry of National Education. As of early 2025, nearly 1 million children are out of school, especially in regions hardest hit by armed violence.
Armed Conflict Disrupting Learning Across the Country
The ongoing conflict with extremist groups in the Sahel and northern regions has made schools prime targets. Teachers have been threatened, schools burned or occupied, and entire communities forced to flee, taking students and educators with them.
Most of the closures are in the Centre-Nord, Sahel, and Est regions—areas under increasing control of non-state armed actors.
Temporary Learning Centers Offer Limited Relief
To address the gap, the government and NGOs have set up temporary learning spaces in displacement camps and host communities. While these efforts provide some continuity, resources are stretched thin, and many makeshift classrooms lack trained teachers, school supplies, and even furniture.
UNICEF and Education Cannot Wait have provided mobile schools, teacher training, and psychosocial support programs—but funding shortfalls continue to hamper scale and sustainability.
Children at Risk of Long-Term Setbacks
Education experts warn that the prolonged disruption could lead to a “lost generation” in Burkina Faso. Out-of-school children are more vulnerable to child labor, early marriage, and recruitment by armed groups.
Girls, in particular, face added barriers due to cultural norms, safety concerns, and lack of access to menstrual hygiene products in temporary shelters.
Calls for International Support and Local Innovation
Civil society organizations and the Ministry of Education are calling for increased investment in education under emergency conditions. There is also growing interest in digital and radio-based education to reach students in isolated areas.
However, connectivity challenges and lack of devices remain major obstacles.
Conclusion
The right to education in Burkina Faso is under siege, with lasting consequences for the country’s future. Urgent support is needed to restore safe, inclusive learning environments and prevent the complete collapse of the education system in conflict zones.
Tags: Burkina Faso education crisis, schools closed Africa, conflict and education, UNICEF Burkina Faso, out-of-school children West Africa, Sahel conflict, girls education in Africa
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